Tuesday, December 23, 2008

The making of a WIMPY KID book

Ever wonder how a book gets made into a book after it has left the creative stage? Well, I just wanted to let you know I posted a ten-minute video of the making of WIMPY KID: The Last Straw at the on YouTube.





Jeff is going to embed the video on the home page of wimpykid.com.

If you get bored or are missing out on some Wimpy Kid action while we’re away from the office, don't forget the return of last year’s holiday favorite, Wimpy Bells:

http://www.wimpykid.com/WimpyBells.swf

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

What every boy / girl designer needs




Something that might help with the creative process or fight of Communist.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Seven Questions Over at Seven IMPOSSIBLE things blog with Amy June Bates

http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=1508#more-1508


"Amy June Bates has illustrated many books in her career, but it wasn’t until I saw a copy of The Dog Who Belonged to No One by Amy Hest (published by Abrams this September) that my attention and interest in her work was piqued. " — Seven Impossible things

Monday, November 24, 2008

Marketing materials

The Last Straw display. Due out Jan. 13th 2009


Wimpy Kid Backlist display

Here we have two of three new displays I designed for the Wimpy Kid Brand.

The Big Splash and Samantha Hansen Has Rock In Her Head



Jack and Nancy sign at Book of Wonder

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Design by the Book


"The New York Public Library and design*sponge have invited the five artists to come to the library, become inspired by its collections, and have their entire creative process filmed from beginning to the final finished creative product. In this first episode they’re introducing the project and designers, and I just watched and found myself so inspired. You can find inspiration for your art in so many places, and I think the good old library is a long forgotten gem, so I'm super excited to follow the Design By The Book series."

Featuring fellow alum Julia Rothman!

Friday, November 21, 2008

The Making of Budgie & Boo

Cover

Budgie & Boo is a sweet tale of two special friends by master children’s book author and illustrator David McPhail. While working with McPhail developing Budgie & Boo we had a lot of back and forth. Attached are some of David's correspondences showing through his letter the development of the story. I love these letters and drawings they show David's endless sense of humor and thirst for exploration.
Interior pages


Budgie was a bear. Boo was a bunny.
Budgie grew flowers. Boo grew
vegetables . . .
Budgie and Boo were the best gardeners,
who decided to be the best of friends.
And they were.

Letters and Character sketches



Character Sketches ( deciding what kind of pen to use )



IN STORES APRIL 2009

David McPhail has crafted a timeless tale of friendship in the tradition of such classics as Frog and Toad. Budgie & Boo introduces two new lovable characters who will charm the youngest readers with their humor and high jinks!
Morning, noon, and night, Budgie and Boo work in their gardens, have adventures, and solve problems for each other—from fixing a leaky roof to fixing breakfast—because that’s what best friends are for. Together they learn that even if they lose their way, friendship is all they need to get through the day.



David McPhail has illustrated more than one hundred books for children, including the New York Times bestseller When Sheep Sleep. His other titles include Water Boy, I Love You Because You’re You, and If You Were My Bunny.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Patrick Arrasmith explains






Patrick Arrasmith explains how he creates his art and what is involved with working under the constraints of a design.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Friday, September 19, 2008

Drawing Babar Exhibition at NY's Morgan Library




Last night I had the honor of attending the opening reception at the Morgan Library for the Babar Drawing Exhibition. Seriously amazing stuff. I kept pacing around thinking I can't believe I get to work with this guy ( Laurent ) and why would he ever listen to me? Needless to say I highly recommend taking in this show.


On display from September 19, 2008 to January 4, 2009, the exhibition describes the creative process of Babar the elephant's authors, Jean de Brunhoff (1899-1937) and his son Laurent (b. 1925), through original sketches, illustrations, watercolors and manuscript drafts from each writer's first book in the popular children's series.

Drawing Babar Exhibition at the Morgan Library


See announcement of the Babar exhibition at the Morgan Library in today’s ArtDaily.com. The exhibition is wonderful and Laurent will be signing books at the Morgan tomorrow afternoon.

www.artdaily.org



Monday, August 11, 2008

A website to keep designers honest

A librarian and former graphic designer who enjoys “The Book Design Review,” a blog by Jack Sullivan. Wished there was a similar blog for those of us who focus on children’s and young adult books. It occurred to her that she could write one herself - so here it is.

J A C K E T W H Y S

Sh
http://jacketwhys.wordpress.com/Link


Wednesday, August 06, 2008

READ POSTER—Wimpy Kid

Some days I really enjoy what I do.
To be a part of this hilarious (but true) poster just makes me laugh.
Which will be hung all over the place. It's the kinda poster you joke about doing. Knowing that the idea is awesome but it just might not be suited for everyone. Well not this time. Amazing!
Here is the WIMPY KID read poster!

http://www.alastore.ala.org/SiteSolution.taf?_sn=catalog&_pn=product_detail&_op=2627